Double Deception by Patricia Oliver Read Free Book Online

consequences."
    Lady Sarah laughed shortly. "I remember a similar argument between you and your father when you set eyes on our lovely Adrienne," she said. "As I recall, you were very young yourself at the time, yet you swore to anyone who would listen that it was a true love match."
    "And so it was," Sylvester retorted. "And I beg you will not bring my wife into this discussion, Aunt. I did not lose my head over a widow with a seven-year-old daughter." He paused, the memory of Adrienne still painfully vivid. "Tell me, Aunt," he continued, changing the subject abruptly, "do you believe Perry is truly in love with his widow?"
    Lady Sarah raised her gaze from her needlework and stared at him before answering. "I think he is well and truly infatuated, if that is what you mean," she said.
    The earl shook his head emphatically. "Well, the notion of such a connection is ridiculous. I have no wish to cause my son pain, but I will not allow it. By God, Aunt, she is eight-and-twenty."
    "Really?" Lady Sarah glanced up again from her lap. "She is such a little slip of a thing. I had not given her more than four-or five-and-twenty. Are you sure of this?"
    "She told me so herself," he answered. "I had rather expected her to lie to me, you know."
    "I certainly would have done so," his aunt remarked brusquely. "Actually, she is quite beautiful, you know. All that glorious copper hair and those odd-colored eyes. I quite understand why our dear Perry has lost his heart to the creature."
    The earl made a gesture of impatience. "Whose side are you on, Aunt?" he asked harshly.
    Lady Sarah smiled at him, and Sylvester realized with a start that, although his aunt was well into her seventies, her mind was as sharp as it had ever been. She could read him like a book, a knack he had found most uncomfortable as a boy. He still found it disconcerting to see the glimmer of understanding in her bright blue gaze.
    "Testy this afternoon, are we? Peregrine's betrothal has—"
    "He is not betrothed," Sylvester interrupted sharply. "I have forbidden it."
    His aunt's smiled broadened, and she shook her head. "As I was saying, dear, this contretemps has rattled you more than I would have imagined. Let me remind you, Sylvester, that love is an extraordinarily tenacious force. The more it is denied, the fiercer it burns. I am surprised that you have forgotten that elementary truth."
    "Are you suggesting that I should sanction this foolishness, madam?" he said coldly.
    "Of course not, Sylvester," Lady Sarah replied impatiently. "Your wits really have gone begging if you believe that. After all, the notice has not yet been sent in to the Gazette, so no real harm has been done. But if you act the tyrant, as I can see from Perry's glowering face that you have, you will only push the poor boy into doing something rash."
    "He has already committed the ultimate foolishness in bringing that female here under false pretenses."
    "Your son has given his word, Sylvester, and you may be sure he will keep it. And once the betrothal becomes public, no doubt the Standish clan will rally behind the girl—do not glare at me like that, Sylvester—and it will be impossible to draw back without scandal. Our darling Perry is no small catch, believe me."
    The earl stared at his aunt for a long moment, his expression thunderous. "Then you will go along with my plan?" he demanded finally.
    "Yes," Lady Sarah said reluctantly. "But you should be warned, Sylvester, that admitting a widowed lady, however impoverished she may be, into this family is a deuced sight better than having a common actress thrust into our midst."
    Sylvester stared at his aunt as though she had sprouted wings. "You cannot be suggesting that there is any real danger of that happening. Surely Perry—"
    "Perry is young and impressionable," his aunt replied seriously. "Besides, he is far more innocent than you were at that age, Sylvester. He is barely on the verge of manhood, a dangerous and unpredictable time in his